Fractional CO2 laser of the vagina for genitourinary syndrome of menopause: Is the out-of-pocket cost worth the outcome of treatment?

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess patient's satisfaction treatment outcomes and out-of-pocket expense for the fractional CO2 laser (SmartXide) in the treatment of genitourinary symptoms of menopause (GSM). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A multicenter retrospective cohort study of patients who completed a course of three vaginal treatments with the SmartXide11 Fractional CO2 laser. Patients contacted via telephone and asked to participate in questionnaires to evaluate for adverse outcomes since last treatment, symptom severity before and after treatment, patient satisfaction with treatment, patient satisfaction with out-of-pocket expense, and sexual function. RESULTS: Of the 368 patients contacted, 122 agreed to be interviewed. No patients reported seeking emergent medical treatment. Patient reported vaginal dryness significantly improved following treatment (P < 0.05). The frequency of intercourse increased from "once a month" to "few times a month" (P < 0.001). The vast majority of patients reported being satisfied with their treatment results (86%) and with the cost of treatment (78%). Satisfaction with the out-of-pocket expense did not correlate with household income (P = 0.07). CONCLUSION: The SmartXide Fractional CO2 laser is a safe and efficacious treatment for GSM. This treatment is associated with a high level of patient satisfaction with both treatment results and out-of-pocket expense. Lasers Surg. Med. 49:882-885, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Differentiating interstitial cystitis from similar conditions commonly seen in gynecologic practice.

Interstitial cystitis is a syndrome characterized by pelvic pain, urinary urgency/frequency, nocturia, and dyspareunia, with no other identifiable etiology. The clinical presentation of interstitial cystitis is similar to that of many other conditions commonly seen in female patients, including recurrent urinary tract infections, endometriosis, chronic pelvic pain, vulvodynia, and overactive bladder. In addition, interstitial cystitis may exist concurrently with these conditions. Correct diagnosis is necessary for appropriate treatment and improved outcomes. Tools to assist in the diagnosis of interstitial cystitis, as well as effective therapies for this condition, are available. A diagnosis of interstitial cystitis should be considered in patients with irritative voiding symptoms and/or pelvic pain complaints.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome: appropriate diagnosis and management.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is characterized by urinary frequency, urgency, and pelvic pain in the absence of any other identifiable pathology. Initial identification of IC/PBS is challenging, as patients may have a range of symptoms that overlap with other disorders, including urinary tract infection (UTI). These patients may be treated empirically with antibiotics; however, many patients with such symptoms are actually culture negative and are later diagnosed with IC/PBS. This review describes the importance of recognizing the symptom overlap between IC/PBS and UTI and focuses on approaches to the diagnosis and management of IC/PBS. Physicians can improve patient care by considering IC/PBS early in the differential diagnosis.

The emerging presence of interstitial cystitis in gynecologic patients with chronic pelvic pain.

Emerging data are changing the pelvic pain paradigm for gynecologic patients. Historically, interstitial cystitis (IC) was rarely considered as a cause of chronic pelvic pain (CPP), but recent data suggest that IC is a common cause of CPP in gynecologic patients and perhaps is even the most common cause. It is important to consider the bladder as a generator of symptoms early in the evaluation of the gynecologic patient with CPP. New tools have been developed to aid the gynecologist in ruling out IC in patients with CPP, including a new IC symptom questionnaire and the Potassium Sensitivity Test (PST). By determining whether the pain is of bladder origin, the physician can more successfully treat the patient with CPP.

Successful management of interstitial cystitis in clinical practice.

Primary care physicians, urologists, and gynecologists have the opportunity to detect interstitial cystitis (IC) in its early stages in symptomatic patients and provide effective treatment before the disease progresses. In this article, we present guidelines for clinical practice management and coding for reimbursement for the care of patients with IC. Important issues in the management of IC are presented, including appropriate Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) coding for office visits and procedures associated with diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Excellent IC care can be integrated into a successful clinical practice with appropriate clinical management and coding for reimbursement.

Multimodal therapy for painful bladder syndrome/interstitial cystitis.

Most patients who suffer from PBS/IC can now be simply and effectively treated. The first step to successful management is accurate and timely diagnosis, which has become easier with available and validated screening and diagnostic tools such as PUF and PST. Once PBS/IC is correctly diagnosed, prompt treatment should address the main components of the disease, a dysfunctional urothelium, mast cell activation and neural upregulation. Multimodal treatment that has shown benefit includes oral PPS plus an antihistamine, such as hydroxyzine, and a TCA, such as amitriptyline. Behavioral interventions and intravesical instillation therapy are adjunctive measures that will promote symptom relief. Intravesical "rescue" solutions using lidocaine and heparin or PPS (dissolved in water or in the instillation solution [off-label use of PPS]) can provide immediate relief while patients develop a response to oral PPS. Patient education and support are critical in managing this complex but treatable disorder.

TVT erosion secondary to a twist in tape.

Mesh erosions through vaginal mucosa as well as the urethra following TVT procedures have been reported but are rare. We report a case of a 50-year-old woman who was found to have mesh erosion through vaginal mucosa 8 weeks after her TVT procedure, apparently secondary to a twist in the tape. Excision of approximately 5 mm of tape encompassing the twist was accomplished without difficulty, and allowed for complete healing of the vaginal mucosa and resolution of the patient's pain and irritative voiding symptoms.

PelviSoft BioMesh augmentation of rectocele repair: the initial clinical experience in 35 patients.

Graft materials have been utilized in the repair of posterior vaginal wall defects to enhance anatomical and functional results, and to improve long-term outcomes. We report on our initial series of 35 patients treated with porcine dermal acellular collagen matrix BioMesh (PelviSoft BioMesh, CR Bard, Cranston, R.I., USA), which has alleviated problems with early postoperative vaginal mucosal dehiscence and delayed healing experienced with the use of other graft materials in the posterior vaginal wall.

Multimodal therapy for interstitial cystitis.

Gynecologists have been challenged by the diversity in treatment approaches and the historical absence of effective therapy for interstitial cystisis (IC). Until recently, the only Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved treatment was bladder instillation with dimethyl sulfoxide, a moderately effective and safe, albeit invasive, process. The approval in 1996 of pentosan polysulfate sodium (PPS) provided IC patients with an effective and safe oral regimen that specifically targets and repairs the damaged urothelium. Intravesical administration of heparin sulfate or PPS, while not FDA indicated, has also been shown to provide symptom relief. Patients with moderate to severe disease may require a multimodal therapeutic approach utilizing PPS as the foundation. Oral PPS can be combined with antihistamines, analgesics, antispasmodics or antidepressants to provide enhanced pain and symptom relief. Patients with severe disease or flares may benefit from instillation of an anesthetic therapeutic relief solution composed of heparin or PPS combined with sodium bicarbonate and lidocaine. Nonpharmacologic approaches, such as bladder training, biofeedback and dietary changes, can provide supplemental relief. Acute and chronic pain associated with IC can now be effectively managed using a multimodal approach with PPS as the basis.

Chronic pelvic pain of bladder origin: a focus on interstitial cystitis.

Chronic pelvic pain afflicts some 9,000,000 women in the United States. Of these, perhaps 10%-although the true number of those affected is actually much greater-are found to have interstitial cystitis (IC), that is, pain of bladder origin. The etiology is multifactorial, but a fairly good marker is dysfunction of the glycosaminoglycan/mucus/mucin layer of the bladder as detected by a potassium (KCl) sensitivity test. A cascade starting with Substance P seems to be involved in generating inflammation, and even ulceration, which is the focus of pain. This article describes means of diagnosis, including the KCl test and cystoscopy, and both U.S. FDA-approved and extended-use medical treatment options which are always to be attempted before the final step of surgery.